The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-10
THE JOURNAL AND NATURAL GAS.


The Journal declines to be nagged into
contest of mud-slinging on the natural-gas
question. 1t does not impute improper mo-
tives to others in this connection, and it re-
CARDS with supreme contempt such insinua-
tons as to itself, whether they come from an
anonymous source or with an editorial in
dorsement. The Journal is quite content to
stand on the record it has made in half a
century of close Identification with the growth
and prosperity of the city. No local institu-
tion has larger interest in the future pros
perity of indianapolis or in the right settle
ment of this gas question. 1t is a very i'm
portant question, and its disposition may and
probably will affect the fortunes of the city,
benefcially or injuriously, for many years to
come. 1t is question which ought
to be considered, discussed and settled
solely with a view to the general
welfare and the best interests of the
city. What do these required In the opinion
OF the Journal they require that the city be
supplied with natural gas as soon as possible,
on the best terms it can get, provided these
best terms are fair and honorable to both par
ties and properly guard the interests of the
city. The best terms imply certain restric-
tions as to price, an open ordinance for free
competition, and such other conditions as
sound business policy will dictate, all to be
framed with view of getting gas, and not
excluding it. There is evidently considerable
difference of opinion to what the restric-
tons should be, and this natural diversity of
opinion is being played upon by some who
opposed to the introduction of gas at all,
or who, for reasons of their own, desire to
delay action. We do not impute this as an
improper or dishonorable motive; it is simply
self-interest. If we thought the city at large
would be benefited by excluding natural gas
entirely, or by indefinitely postponing its in
PRODUCTION, we should favor that policy. But
we do not think anything of the kind. We
think the situation calls for prompt action,
and that should be the passage of an ordi-
companies, local foreign, or both, will ac-
cept and go to work under Immediately. It
makes difference to the people who brings
the gas so it is brought on satisfactory terms
Let the terms be made satisfactory, and let
US have the gas. It is now conceded on all
hands that the ordinance as passed by the
Council, is unsatisfactory and impracticable
The schedule of rates proposed by the Stand
ard Oil Company may also be open to criticism
Then let middle ground be found and
@faE -. 4. A.
other is determined to be impracticable
and unreasonable, an understanding can be
reached. The ordinance should not be framed |
to meet the views of any company in particu-
lar but it should be so framed that some |
company will accept it at once.
The Board of Aldermen under no obliga-
tons to accept the terms offered by the
Standard Oil Company, but they are under
very pressing obligation to pass an ordinance |
that some responsible company
ton of gas If they fail to do this they will
be justly liable to the charge of not appreciat-
ing the importance of the question, or of |
inability to deal with it, or of favor
ing some other interest than that of
the city and people at large This is the
Journals position on the natural-gas question,
and has been from the first. We have not
wavered in the advocacy of it, because every
day has added evidence to show its wisdom,
as we regard it. But it is question with the
people and their Councils. If the people want
natural gas they can let their representatives
know it; if they do not, they can allow the
policy of the impracticables and those whose
self-interest is opposed to natural gas to DOM
done its duty, and respectfully declines to go
into the dishonorable business of mud sling
ing.